Aftershocks

Okay, this is not exciting anymore. PHILVOCS has recorded 43 aftershocks as of 6 PM today.  I have felt at least 3, the last one just a minute ago.  It is dark now and I am very worried that this will continue into the night.  I am just grateful that we have a sturdy house and hardwood dining tables that we can all hide under.  Since the signs all point out to a stay alert, sleepless night...I am sharing our household's emergency/disaster preparations.

A.  Before

1. first aid kit
2. one emergency light/flashlight per room
3. water bottle for each person
4. mobile phone charged/ extra batteries
5. radio
6. whistle
7. check all gas outlets,
8. secure all breakable fixtures/decors
9. secure cabinets and place all breakables inside
10. put heavy items on lower shelves
11. identify your safe spots (no it is not under the door) like the inside corners of your walls

During

1. get out of the house once an earthquake happens but if there is not enough time get under the dining room table first. DROP, COVER & HOLD ON.  This means DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there is no sturdy table, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in the inside corners of the walls of your house.
2. Once the movement stops, get out of the house.
3. stay in an open space, away from poles, stay away from trees and structures that may fall on you

More information and guidelines can be found in www.ready.gov some of which I copied below. It also validates my family's preparations.

• Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture.
• Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place.
• Do not use a doorway except if you know it is a strongly supported, load-bearing doorway and it is close to you. Many inside doorways are lightly constructed and do not offer protection..
• Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Do not exit a building during the shaking. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave.
• DO NOT use the elevators.

I know that sometimes we over-react but hey, it's better to do so than be sorry later.  And PRAY...God never fails.